Hearing set Friday on I-80 tolling proposal

SHARON, Pa. — The public is invited to express their views on the proposed tolling of Interstate 80 when U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, Pa., R-3rd, has a congressional field hearing from 10 a.m. to noon Friday in the council chambers of Sharon Municipal Building, 155 W. Connelly Blvd.

English is opposed to the proposed tolling, and Mercer County commissioners said today they plan to submit statements against it before the hearing.

U.S. Rep. John Mica of Florida, ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee, will conduct the meeting along with English.

As part of Act 44, passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Edward Rendell last July, the state is seeking federal authorization to toll I-80 as part of a plan to generate money for interstate improvements and other projects.

Mercer commissioners have opposed the law since it was announced, stating the tolling could harm local businesses by discouraging traffic from using the highway.